The Block star Sarah-Jane Wilson undergoes double mastectomy

The Block star Sarah-Jane Wilson is recovering after undergoing radical surgery to ward off her increased risk of cancer.

The Block star Sarah-Jane Wilson is recovering after undergoing lifesaving breast surgery.

The popular mother of one had a double mastectomy after discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene and has a much higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Just a day before Wilson and husband Tom Calleja walked away with just $20,000 from their auction, she was approved for the procedure.

She gave an update on social media, saying she had all of her breast tissue removed before getting implants.

Sarah-Jane Wilson after her surgery.

Wilson made the decision after her mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer at just 36. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

“It is day five since my double mastectomy and I’ve got my compression bra on, which they ask you to wear afterwards,” she said.

“I had all my breast tissue removed, and then I got implants put in straight away.”

She explained that her mother first developed breast cancer at the age of 36.

In a video the reality star showed her medical garments, including a compression bra with two bags under her arms to drain fluid.

She said nurses were checking on her every day and she was overwhelmed by the love and support.

“It’s been a long time in the making — I’ve been on this list for five-plus years. Then, the day before The Block auction, they called me: ‘We’ve got a spot for you,’” she said.

“I’ve got some bruising, but all going pretty well to be honest. And I do have nipples, for people asking. They were able to save my nipples; not everybody’s nipples are salvageable.”

Being a carrier of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene gives a woman a 45-90 per cent lifetime risk of cancer.

Tom and Sarah-Jane’s Gisborne property had a reserve price of $4.08m and sold for $4.1m.

The pair’s positive attitude endeared them to fans.

“People are a lot worse off than us so we’re still happy to be alive,” Tom said.

She added: “We’ve got jobs, we’ll go back to normal life … $20,000 is better than nothing.”